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Dear Helen: I cannot find tuberous roots or plants of Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria), a flower I used to grow. J.C.

Dear J.C.: Packages of roots for Alstroemeria aurea (A. aurantiaca), which has beautiful yellow or orange flowers, used to be commonly available in late winter and early spring.

This is not so currently and I'm not sure why. Either the plants have lost popularity and gone out of fashion, or their bad habits have caught up with them. Once very well established, the roots become an aggressively travelling weed from hell, sprouting amid desirable plants. It is almost impossible to eradicate. Ask one who knows.

Dwarf hybrids that bloom in pinks, purples and white are sometimes available as potted plants in late spring, but even these are seen far less frequently. I did track down a grower still producing these plants, but they grow mainly to supply Costco and Safeway stores, with any leftovers distributed to garden centres that order them. They'll appear about late May.

Alstroemerias can be grown from seed. Chiltern Seeds offers a good selection, but choose dwarf species or Ligtu Hybrids.

Dear Helen: Early last spring we sowed parsnip seeds, which germinated well but the roots never developed to any usable size. We left them in the ground over the winter.

They are sprouting now, and we wonder whether they can be left to develop worthwhile roots this summer.

J.&G.C.

Dear J.&G.C.: The parsnip plants that have wintered in the garden will put their energies this growing season into producing a flower stem and setting seed. The roots will not be usable for eating. Hopefully, you'll have better luck with parsnips this year.

Parsnips and beets are two root vegetables that seem to present chronic problems for home gardeners, with the issue most often being failure of the roots to size up properly. Changing soil acidity levels and variety choice are worth looking at.

In most of our area, treating the soil with lime is helpful for both beet and parsnip development.

Parsnips grow best in a soil that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. Left to their own devices, our garden soils become more acidic as alkaline elements wash away in winter rains.

In my current garden, I need to apply at least a light dusting of Dolopril to my plots before seeding to get decent growth in beets, parsnips and spinach.

Parsnips don't need a rich soil, and often grow best in plots that were fertilized and plumped with compost for the crop grown previously in the site. Thinning the plants early helps.

Gladiator is the variety that consistently grows the best for me. The flavour is at its best after frosts in the fall.

GARDEN EVENTS

Eaglecrest meeting. The Eaglecrest Garden Club will meet at 7: 30 tonight at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. Candice Coghill from the new Cultivate Garden and Gift nursery in Parksville will give a demonstration on propagation. All are welcome to the meeting. Information at 250-752-5315.

Government House volunteers. The Friends of Government House Gardens are seeking volunteers to help maintain the gardens and woodlands during Tuesday and Thursday morning work sessions. Anyone interested is invited to an orientation session Tuesday, March 27, at 9: 30 a.m. at Government House. More information at 250-744-4019.

HCP courses. The following courses are offered at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd. in Saanich. Phone 250-479-6162 to register. www.hcp.ca.

- Listen, Interpret, Create: A Unique Response to Nature, Saturday, March 31, 1 to 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 1, 1 to 4 p.m. In two sessions artist Karen Hibbard will guide participants in seeing and hearing gardens in a new way and in producing art work.

No experience is necessary. All materials are supplied. Cost to HCP members is $75, others $105.

- Build a Mason Bee Condo, Saturday, March 31, 1 to 4 p.m. No carpentry experience is necessary. Instructor Gord Hutchings will ensure everyone will go home with a bee condo. Materials are provided. HCP members $40, others $55.

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